Winchester Jazz Collective
About the Collective: Shenandoah Conservatory's Director of Jazz & Commercial Music and Professor of Trombone Matthew Niess, created, produced and launched the Winchester Jazz Collective at the Barns of Rose Hill in December 2023. The musical director is Professor of Jazz Craig Fraedrich. Other jazz professors include Bill Dunn, Darryl Brenzel, and Professor Emeritus of Jazz Piano Robert Larson. Other artists include well known performers from the region most recently Steve Williams Paul Henry, Dave Brown and Will Strickler
Past Shows
Ellington's Nutcracker Suite
In a nod to musical history, the Winchester Jazz Collective is set to enchant the audience at Barns of Rose Hill with a live rendition of Duke Ellington’s timeless “The Nutcracker Suite.”
The doors swing open at 6:00 p.m., ushering you into a musical journey that kicks off promptly at 7:00 p.m. at Barns of Rose Hill, 95 Chalmers Court, Berryville, VA.
This special holiday performance promises an immersive experience of jazz interpretations originally recorded in 1960. The fusion of holiday spirit and jazz brilliance promises an unforgettable night.
Duke Ellington, a maestro in American jazz, composed and arranged this festive masterpiece in collaboration with Billy Strayhorn.
The Nutcracker Suite, initially recorded for Columbia Records, breathes new life into Tchaikovsky’s 1892 ballet.
Monk, Miles & Mingus-The Three M's
Spring, 2025
About: The Winchester Jazz Collective presents The 3-M’s: Miles, Monk & Mingus, an electrifying celebration of three of jazz’s most revolutionary figures. Miles Davis redefined the sound of modern jazz with his cool, modal explorations, Charles Mingus pushed the boundaries of composition with his bold, expressive works, and Thelonious Monk’s unconventional harmonies and percussive piano style remain instantly recognizable. This special performance brings their music to life with dynamic arrangements, deep improvisation, and a fresh perspective, honoring the legacy of these trailblazing artists while capturing the spirit of their innovation.
Ellington & Strayhorn
Summer, 20224
About: With this performance, the Winchester Jazz Collective will celebrate the legacies of Duke Ellington and composer Billy Strayhorn, whose artistic collaboration is widely regarded as one of the most important in the history of American music.
In 1939, Ellington and Strayhorn formed a musical partnership that endured until Strayhorn’s passing in 1967. Ellington once described Strayhorn as: "my right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head, my brain waves in his head, and his in mine." They shared a common approach to composition to the point that most listeners still can’t tell the difference between the writing of either man. In spite of clashes over credit, Strayhorn and Ellington’s collaboration resulted in a catalog of some of the most significant American songs of the 20th century.